The NFJPIA-NCR Council 6th Grand Summit: They changed paradigms, and they made it happen!

by Mark Christian Manuel

It's been a year full of challenges and successes for the National Federation of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants - NCR Council, and that definitely deserves a grand finish. And there's no better way to celebrate this glorious end but to bring the entire region all the way to Ilocos Norte!

Over 100 delegates representing the different Accountancy schools in Metro Manila, together with the NCR Council leaders, joined forces to conclude a wonderful federation year last April 19th to 22nd, 2013 at the majestic Java Hotel in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Everybody was present - partners, sponsors, alumni and supporters - during the jam-packed, 4-day summer getaway *slash* year-end celebration, plus the final blow of different academic and non-academic competitions to intensify the summer thrill!

Day 1: Fun Friday!

Coming from an overnight, 10-hour bus ride, everybody was all tired and sleepy. Yet after a quick rest, they all came out hyper and highly energetic as they battled to win the classic Amazing Race to officially open the Grand Summit. Delegates got the chance to meet and mingle with new-found friends while pushing and pulling and jumping and strategizing from one station to another under the heat of the sun. Sunburned and all sweaty, they started the day in high spirits ending the game in fun and laughter. After the exhausting game and a very satisfying lunch, delegates, sponsors and alumni were all sent out to get a taste of Ilocos Norte. They all enjoyed 2 of the most known sites in the province: the Bangui Windmills and Paoay Church. Going back to the hotel, everybody quickly had to shift from being a tourist to a Korean Pop Star. After a mouth-watering dinner, the hotel garden was filled with KPop wannabes for the KPop-inspired Members' Night. Games were prepared (Human Bingo, Who's That EO?) and fun talents were showcased (Seconds to Stardom Round1) for the Grand Summit's first night party!

Day 2: Intense Saturday!

The second morning in Ilocos started with an opening statement: we're back to business. Everybody shifted gears from party-mode to their corporate stance coming to the day-opener, Casino Royale-inspired event, the 4th SGV Cup brought, of course, by SGV & Co. Battling for the huge, revolving cup were more than 20 contestants from the different schools represented in the Summit. Contestants were trimmed down to 10 to compete in a pressuring buzzer round where the winners were determined. After the intense battle, the audience was enlightened by Mr. Christian Lauron, Partner, SGV&Co. who talked about the significance of the Accounting and Auditing profession in the national economy through its role in the financial industry. The talk stirred up young minds which lead to an interactive forum; exchanging points and insights which diversified the discussion. A quick lunch break followed, then, the very first Audit Simulation Competition by Deloitte came right after. 3 teams worked overnight to prepare for their audit reports which they presented in front of a panel of judges. Questions were thrown to each presenter to bring out their technical knowledge and analytical skills in auditing. Simultaneously, another exciting event was being held in another venue. Talk about intensity, the two finalists from the elimination rounds held in Manila battled face-to-face for the final round of the NCR Debate Open. Intense exchange of arguments, rebuttals, and points of information were exhibited bringing the debate to an extremely electrifying level. After the two events, Grand Summit delegates were given the privilege to have an encounter with their future employers, plus the chance to learn interesting, great-to-know-how topics through the Academic and Non-Academic Talk. HR professionals from the top auditing firms in the country presented and talked about their firms and the career opportunities waiting for the participants after they pass the board exams. The delegates were also able to inquire about their possible career paths, as well as the different cultures that await them. A speaker from Deloitte, Mr. Eric Magcale, also discussed about the standards update on employee benefits accounting. For the non-academic side of the event, a guest speaker, Ms. Lara Sia, talked about self-Defense 101. Participants were on their feet while watching demos from the speaker on how to make simple defense movements in cases when the need arises. Volunteers were given the opportunity to do the actual movements with Ms. Sia. Delegates were shouting and thrilled to see even the HR professionals from the auditing firms volunteer to learn the skill. Dinner was served afterwards. To wrap-up the day, another night party was prepared for the delegates, this time requiring them to be in their summer, neon-inspired attire. The Socials Night gave everyone the breather they need after the jam-packed day. The 2^nd and 3^rd rounds of Seconds to Stardom and the JPIAshonista served as the highlights of the event, plus fun mini-games that kept the audience high-spirited. A special segment of the program lifted the energy inside the hall once again, when the representatives from the sponsor firms, SGV&Co., P&A, Deloitte, and Isla Lipana, took the runway and posed like professional models onstage.

Day 3: Extreme Sunday!

The closer it gets to the official end of the federation year, the more extreme things get. Opening the day was the 1^st P&A Cup, in partnership with Punongbayan & Araullo. More than 20 contenders, again, battled to win, this time, an all-glass revolving cup plus the bragging rights to become the very first cup holder. The Le Cirque-inspired accounting quizbee challenged the contestants until 10 was left to get through the buzzer round. The finalists had to go through tough, head-to-head challenges before the winners were determined. After a short lunch break, a partner from Punongbayan & Araullo, Mr. Michael Gallego, provided a short talk to further enlighten the delegates with profession-related matters. The very informative talk was followed by two events: The 8^th Charlwin Lee Cup and the GI Quiz Show. The 8^th Charlwin Lee Cup, in partnership with the University of Santo Tomas, was joined by the participating local chapters, where the top 10 contestants battled out in another thrilling buzzer round. In another venue, a fun, game-show themed contest was also being held. The GI Quiz Show was participated by the sponsors, partners, other delegates, and the NCR Council officers acting as The Mobs battling against their contenders. The questions thrown were all general information, even including funny trivial questions about the organization and the executive officers. After the two brain-draining competitions, delegates were all ushered to their respective rooms for the Crash Courses session. Four classes were made for the delegates to enjoy and learn from: Cooking Ilocano Cuisine, Modelling 101, Photography 101, and Frisbee, all held within the vicinity of the hotel.

The Wrap Up: The 8^th NFJPIA-NCR Year-End Awards

Sunday night marked the end of the NFJPIA NCR Grand Summit, and also of the federation year of NFJPIA NCR 2012-2013. After the crash courses and a perfect dinner, the mood changed to the classic, “red carpet” ambiance as the delegates entered the hall in their long gowns and bow ties for the most-anticipated, Oscars-inspired night: the NFJPIA NCR Year-End Awards. This is the event of the year where local chapters and JPIAns are given due recognition for their outstanding performances and participation in the events of the NCR Council. Another highlight of this event is the turnover ceremony that serves as the Council’s official transition to the next federation year. During the turnover ceremony, Outgoing NCR President John Michael Lava delivered his farewell speech which summarized all his memorable experiences, both the best and the challenging ones, in the council. He also shared his heartwarming messages to each of his co-officers and to their adviser Mr. Conrad Alan Alvis, which brought most of them to tears. Mr. Alvis also shared his message for his officers, for all the outstanding work and unparalleled efforts each of them exhibited to make the Council deliver its best service to its members and local chapters. After the farewell messages, Incoming NCR President Danny Villanueva, also Outgoing Vice-President for Communications, answered through his acceptance speech, sharing how thankful he is for the past federation, and his strong determination to make the legacy of excellence be carried over to his term as well. Though it was sad that the end of the federation year had finally come, the event still ended on a positive note. Everybody’s looking forward to another fun, exciting, and energy-filled federation year that will serve the JPIA community in the National Capital Region once again.  

Awardees

Most Competitive JPIAn                                                 Mike Joseph Don, FEU-Manila

Ngiting Wagas Award                                                     Aeron Paul Ramos, PUP

Biggest Delegate                                                          Carmina Lorraine Barbosa, MC

Ms. Gwiyomi                                                                  Marjorie Baladad, FEU-Manila

Mr. Gwiyomi                                                                  Mark Chester Alanes, PLM

Nagniningning Award                                                      Ma Clarisse Gliane, UST

Best District Outreach                                                    West District for “iBuild”

Best Standing Committee                                               Non-Academics Committee

Most Admired Local Chapter                                        Miriam College

Biggest Delegation – Grand Summit                                University of Santo Tomas

Most Artistic Local Chapter of the Year                         University of Santo Tomas

Most Congenial NCR Executive Officer                         John Michael Lava, President

Most Congenial Local Chapter Officer                           Zarah Mae Benjamin, MC

Most Outstanding Delegate                                            Aeron Paul Ramos, PUP

Leadership Award                                                        John Michael Lava, President

Standing Committee Member of the Year                      Kaycee Rodriguez, Non-Academics Committee

Host of the Year                                                           Mark Christian Manuel

Individual Awards                           

Most Congenial President of the Year: Jona-V Damole, MC

Most Outstanding Local Chapter Representative of the Year: Zarah Mae Benjamin, MC

Outstanding Local Chapter Representative of the Year: Kathleen Kaye Remoto, UST

Outstanding Local Chapter Representative of the Year: John Carlo Torron, UE-Caloocan

Most Outstanding Local Chapter President of the Year: Jona-V Damole, MC

Outstanding Local Chapter President of the Year: Ma. Clarisee Gliane, UST

Outstanding Local Chapter President of the Year: Jayvee Reyes, FEU-Manila

Most Outstanding JPIAn of the Year: Aeron Paul Ramos, PUP

Outstanding JPIAn of the Year: Mike Joseph Don, FEU-Manila

Outstanding JPIAn of the Year: Marielle Pamintuan, MC

Outstanding JPIAn of the Year: Michelle Baritua, UE-Caloocan

Most Outstanding NCR EO of the Year: Rodel Tria, Vice-President for Academics      

Outstanding NCR EO of the Year: Aizelle Tubig, Vice-President for Communications, West   

Outstanding NCR EO of the Year: Rose Samas, Vice-President for Finance

Minor Awards  

Most Hospitable Local Chapter of the Year: Miriam College 

Best Membership Requirement: Miriam College      

Best Hosted Presidents' Meeting: Far Eastern University - Diliman   

Best Coordinated Academic Activity of the Year: NCR CUP 5 and 6, MAPUA Makati

Best Coordinated Non-Academic Activity of the Year: AOG Pageant Night,   UST and SBCA

Best Local Chapter Activity of the Year-Academic: Mock Interview, UST

Best Local Chapter Activity of the Year-Non Academic: TIKTAKBO5, UP-Diliman

Best Local Chapter Activity of the Year-Leadership: CBEA Leadership Training, MC

Best Local Chapter Activity of the Year-Social Awareness: BUKLAT PANGARAP, UP-Diliman

Major Awards  

Most Outstanding Local Chapter of the Year: Far Eastern University-Manila 

Outstanding Local Chapter of the Year: Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Manila       

Outstanding Local Chapter of the Year: University of Santo Tomas

Most Awarded Local Chapter in Academics: Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Manila      

Most Awarded Local Chapter in Non- Academics: University of the East-Caloocan

Most Supportive Local Chapter of the Year: Miriam College

Most Active Local Chapter of the Year: University of the East-Caloocan

Most Productive Local Chapter of the Year: University of Santo Tomas  

               

Favored

A word was spoken and declared over me this year: this will be a year of positive changes and unceasing favor. Holding on to this declaration with optimism and an expectant heart, I changed my perspective; shifting my view to a certain degree where I'd be able to see at least a glimpse of what God is doing in and through me. "[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight," (Philippians 2:13, AMP). And behold! It's just the end of the first quarter of 2013, and I'm already filled, no, overflowing with good things and happenings and wisdom and changes. The more that I look to Him and indulge myself in His beauty and love, the more that I understand that His desire is purely to bless and prosper me with both tangible and intangible things, even with the desire and the will to live as His son. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God," (Hebrews 12:2, NIV). And it doesn't even stop there. I was deployed to different places, and was sent to meet different people so that I'd be able to see the essence of all the great things that's been happening in and around me. He wants me to enable others to have the same favor and joy (or even more!) as what I am experiencing, for them to see what reality really is -- Him, Jesus. Favor at the workplace, in school, in relationships (family and friends), and a lot of extras (JPIA Idol, professional networks, Palawan, financial, physical, etc.). Oh there are more to look forward to for the next 3 quarters, excluding His surprises for me! Haha! My life is such a testimony of how good my God is. Let my life, despite of my imperfections, be a mirror of His goodness alone. Amen.

"There is more to come! Fasten your seatbelt! Were you not told that there is a quick work that's happening? You are now stepping in to a blazing firestorm of His great works, not as an spectator, but a partaker. Get ready for a harvest you won't be able to bear yourself, Christian. Great, great things are coming! Keep the fire burning!"

NOTE:
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who has blessed me so much during my Palawan Holy Week getaway. To Sir Renren, Sir Adrian, Rodel, Nelson and Bogart for keeping me alive for the last 4 days of my stay there. BALDOGs is the BEST! Haha! I really can't thank you enough guys. I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the care and love, plus the fun and the bond we had. Speechless. To Life Church Manila headed by Kuya Ryan and the other primaries, to Pastor Ancho of the entire Life Church community and his family, to all the new friends that I met during that week, to the other disciples, everyone I was with in Palawan, my deepest, sincerest thanks to all of you. Indeed, one of the most blessed week I've had. :D

Manuel, 2012 (Roaring Forward)

Another year has ended, and there comes another that offers a fresh start. The past years were full of transformations – from the simplest to the most complex, and now finding its way back to simplicity and calmness.

2011 was my year of application of all that I’ve learned – the things that was added to my knowledge and personality. 2012 came as an extension, but furthermore, it served to be a year of realizations. Sweet as it may sound, but realizations didn’t come as pleasurable as mere learning as that of 2010. It involved a lot of wrong choices, wrong perspectives, wrong steps, wrong timings, even wrong persons. But as what I always say, everything has a brighter side. Not because I am a die-hard optimist, but because that is reality. And as I say goodbye to the year of heartaches and disappointments, I say “HAHA” for I am still here, alive and kicking and more equipped facing 2013. I say “enough!” to self-inflicted destructions, even those caused by others. This year I struggled to gain control over myself, but ended up being controlled by my ambitions and desires. And so, this year, it may be a struggle again, but this time it is to give back the control to Him who knows best. The year will be a better year – opportunities, friendship, more wisdom, right happenings. My spirit roars for genuine joy, for love, and for a closer relationship with Him, my Guide. Hurrah! Christian is on his way closer to where he should be! Amen. 

“Yes, no one promised a smooth-sailing journey, but you can hold on to His promise that the destination is a land of milk and honey. No worries! You committed mistakes yet you learned. You made wrong choices yet the road back to the right path is still left wide open. Take courage! Rest in His peace. Keep it burning, Christian.”

Morning (updated)

"When Wisdom is needed, you just have to relax and open your eyes. You'll be amazed that what you're looking for is just right in front of your face."

Something to think about while eating alone, or while riding a jeep on your way somewhere, or perhaps while staring at nowhere.

Romans 12:3-8

For those who wonder what their role really is in a society as big as what we do have (like me), this is worth meditating on.

I've been kinda having this feeling that I'm not really playing an important role in every societies and circles that I'm in. I mean, like, even if I vanish away, they won't really notice, simply because there's a lot of other people who can do a lot, as in A LOT better than I do. And it made me struggle to look for and try things that I feel would give me a sense of self-importance, like a better role (pushing myself to take a difficult degree, looking for a good job, trying to earn a lot, trying to look good all the time, etc.), or look for another circle where I think I would fit in (struggling to find a relationship, trying to get into other social networks, simply containing myself in a box, etc.). At the end of the day, it just left me bothered, worried, and restless. Little did I notice that I do actually have an important role that I have already been playing. This morning before I went to bed again, I opened the Bible app on my phone and that verse came out. I read it of course, and made me realize that, the role that I have to play has something to do with the talents and gifts and things that I'm capable of doing, and those things that I really enjoy. For example, all this time I've been learning and enjoying public speaking; I was engaged to student leadership; for the last 4 years I've been exposed to different cultures and sets of people in different places; I do enjoy psychology (well, not the memorization part, but the part where you analyze the mind and behavior of people); I haven't really had a perfect chance to get into any relationships yet. With all that, it made me think that I may not really be to become a great student leader (I aimed to become the president of an organization so badly, but didn't happen), or become a good lover yet (just met someone, but it just won't work its way to getting there), or becoming a good student, or maybe becoming someone I think is really cool in front of everyone (have been trying to impress and please everyone, but ended up being disappointed). Maybe my role really is, just becoming a friend -- to my family, to my friends, to my work and schoolmates, and to all that I'm yet to meet. Maybe I am to pursue the role to provide moral support and guidance to people. That maybe is the reason why I learned the things that I know, like cultural diversity - to know more of how different people think, a bit of psychology - to connect it with their behaviors and tendencies, public speaking - to be able to send the message properly to people, the Gospel - to know what to say and what principles to share, leadership - to know how to guide them. Maybe my role really isn't the kind where all people will see me do great things, but merely doing important stuff at the background. Not my kind of stuff really (because I know I'm the "pasikat" type), but cool enough, that is something that I have already been enjoying doing, only that I oversee it. And maybe, in the future, I maybe doing some other stuff still, but that role will be my guide on what path to take, socially and professionally.

Now, I'm not really saying this to brag, or maybe humiliate myself, but more of, if there is someone who has the same issues like this (which I do not know if it is something common or not), maybe it would help to start focusing on the things that He gave you, and the trainings that He's been giving you in life, for you to know what you really are going to pursue during your entire existence. I'm pretty sure you've heard of the teaching that our purpose in life is to give glory and praise to Him, but giving glory and praise is not limited to the ways of the "religious". That is one way, but don't forget that He is artistic enough to create different ways. As a matter of fact, He is setting us to be unique from one another. You can do that as a preacher, a teacher, a business man, a painter, or whatever. The only common denominator is, you do your role established on this 2 most important reasons: because you love your neighbor, and you love Him.

I am not a Painter

I don't why, I don't know what went wrong, but I really am a loser when it comes to visual arts. Maybe because I'm colorblind, or maybe I just really can't. Haha But this time, I'm gonna try my luck. This time I'll be talking about, weird enough, paintings. 

I was reading a Yahoo! article about the great Mona Lisa, and I remembered how it's been one of, if not the, most controversial paintings ever. The smile (which they're not even sure if it really is), the missing eyebrows, the eyes, and all that. Even the emotion, and the purpose of the painting itself. All that running in my mind, my imagination started to play around with me and started visualizing how the painting might have been done -- from the canvas fabric, then outline, then the paint and the colors until it gets the image seen. And then, with the progression and the complexity of doing such, I came to realize that for the past how many years that I've been breathing, I actually have been painting my own portrait.

I started out with a plain cloth, and a brush which I wasn't sure how to use. With my small, uncontrollable hands, I started out striking the cloth with the brush, but no color appeared to be there yet. I didn't know that I had to dip the brush first, then do what I have been doing. But even before I did, a gentle hand held mine with a pencil, and started to draw an image which I couldn't really understand because it was done in very fine lines. Years went by, and my hand with the brush, still being guided, then started dipping it in the colors on the board, choosing light colors -- white, light brown. I felt happy and satisfied with what I was seeing. For my young eyes it appeared to be totally pleasant. I realized that I was being guided to draw the first half of my face. More years went on, I felt that my guide's been using light colors. Though I still found it pleasant, I started to think of trying to do it my way that time. Years passed by, and I felt that my hands were strong enough to resist the guidance of that gentle hand. I struggled hard, and finally, I was able to choose my own hue. I took a darker color and tried it, but it didn't appear right. I tried dipping it on the lighter color but it got mixed up with the darker one, and so it started to change the image that I was trying to create. It was then showing a chaotic, dirty cloth. It turned dark, and messy. I tried and tried and tried doing all that I thought will make it better, but no. It only became worse. More years came and it was pure struggle of finding the right color, the right combination. That's when my hand got too tired, too exhausted that it couldn't move the brush anymore. Surprisingly, it started to move again, but it wasn't my effort anymore. Little did I know that the guiding hand was and still is, all the while, on top of my hand waiting for mine to give up for it to guide again. And so, it started moving again, and to my delight, all the darker colors have become the shadows enhancing the image itself, and again, adding lighter colors a clearer picture was made. Another year came, and half of the my face was done, the other half still on process, and at first I found it weird. My left face is all good, but as the guiding hand holds my hand and does the work, I see it painting the right head with like, a crown; though it appears to be a dark crown, not gold nor silver. I see that it has sharp edges too. And I also see red droplets dripping down from it, and the face looks bruised and wounded.

As I look at this almost-done image of mine, I learn more who I really am, how I look like, and how and who I should be. I'm just glad that, first, Someone already did the draft for me. Second, there's been a hand so gentle and artistic to hold my hand and even correct the mistakes that I've done without condemnation. And lastly, that Someone shares his face with mine and makes the portrait a picture of me in and with Him.

Manuel, 2011 (Glancing Back, Smiling Forward)

2008 was my year of transition...


2009's the year of pleasure and consequences...


2010 is the year of discovery of the other side; learning and coping...




2011... 


The year of application. The year of understanding -- knowing who, and how capable I am. Challenges came, yet REST filled my heart and made me stand sturdier and more stable. Temptations were present, but I was kept untouched for I am COVERED. Disappointments tried to eat me -- tried so hard that most of the time I almost gave in, but, His ASSURANCE and LOVE are just too powerful for me to give up. This year, I was enabled to apply all that I've learned from the previous ones. Most of the time I doubted, I trembled. But He never failed to constantly tap my shoulder, lift my head, and say "I've already done it all. Cheer up son! Trust me when I say I've done it all...". Many will say I was not able to get anything this year. As a matter of fact, there was a lot of disappointing events that happened. But what they do not know is, this truly is my year of the MUCH MORE. I learned how to be more trusting, how to keep myself at peace despite of all that's negative, how to share smiles and laughter that brings out hope and optimism, how to be a blessing, how to remember, how to accept... All this I gained not because I'm good, but because even before I got them all, He already made me realize that I already have everything with Him; that all I have to do is to believe more, and for me to believe more I need to know more of who He is by establishing a closer relationship with Him. 


And now, as the year ends, I look back to all the things that had happened -- good and bad. Then, look straight forward to the coming year with a huge smile and a declaration: "There is no stopping in getting better! 2012, greater things we are about to share! I definitely am ready, you should be! haha!"

"Christian, you might have been inconsistent, but He consistently led you back to where you should be. In everything, don't worry! Take courage! For He who started it will surely make it come to pass... Keep the fire burning..."

After months...

So, after a couple of months, here I am again. Reading my blog page truly is a blessing, not because I write good articles, but because He made me write articles that will eventually, just like now, slap my face to wake me up and remind me of the things He has for me.

I was back in that situation where I wanted so bad to enroll, yet, the circumstances just wouldn't allow me. And yes, that time I felt a bit fed up and just ended up saying, "This is just tiring,". And what else should I expect? My wrong thinking led me to the wrong place. Yet, one thing that's really sweet is the fact that I know I am not alone. There is this kind of joy that's just in me and it's still making me smile and laugh despite of the things that's visible. Very ironic, at times, say, when I'm in church, I keep on looking for lines or verses which I can use as my mantra to support my way of thinking. Little do I know that I already have lots of it that keeps me standing up until now. "I will never be put to shame,", "He is, all the while, effectually at work in me,", "He is the great RESTORER,", "He sees and hears me,". Now that I'm not enrolled, and am struggling to find the will to find work, these things He wrote in my heart to help me keep focused to where I should be. Even though most of the time I don't know where my destination is, but at least I am sure and convinced and certain that He who moves me does. He sees that I take the wrong road, that I follow the wrong feelings, still, I rejoice that it's not me who's gonna determine my future but He who sets the paths and shortcuts back to the main road when I seem to take the wrong turns. Now, what's left in me is the feeling of just keeping moving forward. My graduation may again be delayed, but then again, "delays are not denials, but a preparation for something BETTER in the future,". I may be recklessly getting in to things I shouldn't be getting in to, yet He restores and He writes things in my heart. He takes control and nothing in the world, specially not me and my actions, can ever stop Him from making His words come to pass. And His Word said, I am His son, and that can never be taken away from me. :D

"You just keep the fire burning Christian. Listen to what it whispers, and just keep the positivity to its peak. He is here, in you, around you... Never doubt that..."